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Incline Press

The Major Muscles used in the Incline Press Exercise are the Pectoralis Major, Anterior Deltoid, Coracobrachialis and the Triceps.

Overview:With feet on floor, your spine, pelvis and wrists in neutral, the upper arms angled at 80-90° from torso and forearms perpendicular to floor, contract abdominals and lower weight with control. Press up extending without hyperextending. Exhale on the upward phase. Inhale on the downward phase.

Position: Lie supine with feet flat on floor. Spine and pelvis are in neutral (natural position). If you have low back issues then press lumbar spine flat with pelvis posteriorly tilted (bring forwards a little bit). A wide, closed pronated grip is typically used but if you want greater Triceps involvement use a narrow grip with hands evenly spaced. Upper arm is angled at 80-90 degrees from torso and forearms are perpendicular to the floor. Wrists are as neutral as possible. (see picture above). If you are experiencing shoulder pain, shorten your range of motion. In the down phase, bring elbows in towards ribs.

Movement: In an upward starting position, contract abdominals and lower weight with control. The only joints moving are shoulders and elbows, all other joints remain stabilized. Barbell should be in the mid-chest (nipple) area. Press up, fully extending and taking care not to hyperextend (lock) the elbows. Exhale on the way down. Inhale on the way up.

Depending on the incline, the vertical line of pull will involve the clavicular fibers of the Pectoralis Major. The greater the incline, the greater the Anterior and Medial (Lateral) Deltoid involvement changing the joint action from horizontal adduction to more of an abduction movement.
The greater the incline, the greater chance of elevating the shoulder girdle involving the upper Trapezius fibers, Levator Scapulae and Rhomboids.